Fort Simpson (Sep 08/06) - Faces are changing again at the Fort Simpson RCMP detachment.

New to the detachment is Const. Adolphus Norris who arrived in July from Hay River. Norris is taking the place of Const. Brad Parker, who is now in Hay River.

Constable Adolphus Norris, the newest addition to the Fort Simpson RCMP detachment, with his wife Bessie and daughter Alicia. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Norris, who is originally from the Inuvik area, has always taken postings in the North.

"We like the North," said Norris speaking for his family.

Norris spent the past three years in Hay River. Previously he served two years in Yellowknife and four in Fort Smith. He's moved to Fort Simpson with his wife Bessie and three children Cassandra, 14, Brandon, 12 and Alicia, 10.

The family chose Fort Simpson because it's somewhere they haven't been yet.

"I'm enjoying the company (and) meeting new people," said Norris.

Living on an island is something different, he said.

Already Norris has noticed that the pace at the detachment is slower than in Hay River. So far he's enjoying it.

"It's going quite smoothly," said Norris.

It's business as usual at the detachment despite the number of staff changes over the summer, said Sgt. Cliff McKay.

The RCMP members are a transient community so they are accustomed to moving around, said McKay. Fitting into a new posting is generally not disruptive, he said.

But the changes haven't finished. After saying goodbye to Cpl. Al Shepherd and Parker earlier in the summer, the detachment is also losing Const. Bruce Rice later this month when he moves to Saskatchewan.

So far there is no word on who will replace Rice. There has been a lot of interest in the position with a number of people approaching staffing, said McKay.

McKay is also waiting to hear if Fort Simpson will regain a corporal position. If a proposed restructuring of the divisions occurs the position will be returned.

The restructuring would make Fort Simpson the hub for the area's detachments. The detachments would be able to work closer with each other, said McKay.

A decision on the corporal position is expected in the fall.

"I'm hopeful," said McKay.